A Howell teen held on $1 million bond in connection to sexual assault and extortion was released Friday from Livingston County Jail after his bond was significantly reduced during a court hearing.

Scott William Minton, 17, has been in the jail since he was arraigned Sept. 6 in 53rd District Court.

Judge Michael P. Hatty reduced his bond to $100,000 Friday.

Minton faces five counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct during a felony, two counts of extortion, one count of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and one count of distributing or promoting child sexually abusive material. He is due back in court Dec. 1 for a pretrial conference.

The charges stem from an incident police said occurred April 1 on property adjacent to Howell High School.

Both Minton, who is charged as an adult, and the alleged victim, a 16-year-old girl, were juveniles at the time.

On Friday, Minton was in court for a pretrial hearing, which was adjourned for additional discovery, including his cell phone records and data.

During the hearing, Assistant Livingston County Prosecutor Kimberly Morrison argued against a reduction of bond.

"This was not an act of sex; this was a violent act, literally punching her" between her legs, said Morrison.

Morrison said the prosecution had evidence Minton “extorted sex” from the girl and told her if she didn’t comply with his demand for sex he would share explicit photos of her with others. She said the victim is afraid of him.

"This is an extremely serious allegation,” Morrison said. “There is evidence he contacted other people and offered to pay money for a display of affection. He has a problem.”

Minton's attorney, Heather Nalley, said the reduction in bond was warranted and noted she and the prosecuting attorney had “radically different ideas about the facts of the case.”

Nalley said neither Minton nor anyone in his family had any criminal history and said both his parents are “hardworking” and “honorable” members of the community who would ensure he followed all bond conditions.

Before he was incarcerated, Nalley said, Minton had been attending high school and working part time at a downtown Brighton restaurant. She said he is not a flight risk.

She added that the girl sent photos and videos to Minton and lied to her parents about contact with him.

Judge Michael P. Hatty said he did not believe the $1 million bond was necessary to ensure Minton returns to court, but that bond should remain high based on the allegations.

In addition to reducing the bond to $100,000, he ordered Minton be placed on a GPS tether before he left the jail, set a curfew of 8-8 and said Minton was not to use the internet except for education. He is also prohibitied from contact with the victim or her family.

Minton's attorney also rejected a plea offer from the prosecutor, which would have reduced the charges to one count each of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, extortion and possession of child sexually abusive material, with adult sentencing, adult sanctions and no eligibility for the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.

The offer, said Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt, was put forth in "full consultation with the victim and her family and their wishes."

Under the agreement, the defendant could have received a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and there was no sentence agreement.

If convicted, Minton faces up to life in prison, as well as mandatory lifetime electronic monitoring, on the first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges.

Contact reporter Laura Colvin at 517-552-2848 or lcolvin@livingstondaily.com or follow her on Twitter: @LauraColvin22